Georgia!

Georgia on my mind

Yes! I went home for a quick vacation. I had the privilege of seeing my little brother graduate from high school and got to see friends and family. It was a quick trip...only 7 days. But, boy was it worth it! Sorry to those folks that I didn't get to see (Athens). You know I still love you.

The best part about it was that my mama was completely surprised! Since January we've been scheming. Daddy, Jamie Middleton, Elizabeth and I started making plans. Elizabeth, my college buddy and roommate who lives in Atlanta, got in touch with Mama to tell her she wanted to come down for Blake's graduation. She said she'd fly so that she wouldn't waste time driving. On Daddy and Jamie's end, they were keeping track of my itinerary and making sure that Mama (and Blake--who accidentally found out the day I was supposed to arrive) would be kept in the dark. I, of course, was stringing her along on my end, saying things like "I'm so glad Eliz is coming to Colquitt. She can help you with the graduation party." It was so fun to surprise her, Grannie & Papa, Mema and tons of other folks. I don't think I'll ever be able to top it!

Here's the reaction video. I used my digital camera. I'm holding the camera, and it's a little nauseating because I'm walking and bouncing around. Oops... Still, I hope you enjoy!





More pictures to come, I promise!

Gettin' outta town.

This week I had the wonderful opportunity to get out of town for a few days and visit with some friends in another state. It was so great to see the Millers (who are expecting their first child in October) and simply relax. We ate some great Italian, did a little shopping and cooked a fabulous Mexican meal. It was so fun to catch up with them, discuss baby names and just talk about life here, the good and the challenging. On the last day, they took me up onto some beautiful rolling hills that overlook their city where we found the most unusual thing that you can find in this country: silence! It was kind of strange to not see and hear millions of people and to simply listen to the wind blow. But, boy was it refreshing!

Here are some pictures from the trip:


Kacie and I at dinner


"What are men compared to rocks and mountains?" -Pride and Prejudice


Baby bump is growing! Boy or girl?

Beautiful...

Here's a video of some adorable children from a home for orphaned and abandoned children singing to us on Easter!

Happy Easter, friends!

I just love Easter, and I have really enjoyed being able to tell people here the reason why we celebrate. It's been fun to use some of the traditional Easter things we do like coloring eggs to get people interested in what Easter really is about. Thanks, Mama, for sending the egg dye and other goodies so that I could celebrate with and explain to neighbors and friends about Easter.

Ironically this Easter falls on the same weekend as a major festival here called Holi. This is the festival of color in which people run around everywhere throwing colored powder on each other. Fortunately, I haven't been powdered yet, but we'll see what happens before the weekend is over.

Celebrating Easter here, without my family, is a little different, but we are so blessed. There are many families here in our city to celebrate with, and they involve us in all they do. I am so thankful for the people here that act as a surrogate family to us, taking us into their celebration as part of their own family. Today we had a fun Easter egg hunt for all the kids. Here are a few pictures.